Notes are in denominations of SLRs1,000, 500, 200, 100, 50, 20 and
10. Coins are in denominations of SLRs10, 5, 2 and 1, and 50, 25,
10, 5, 2 and 1 cents. There are also commemorative coins in circulation.

Currency exchange

Foreign currency is strongly advised to exchanged only at banks, authorized exchanges
and hotels. These institutions must indorse exchanges on the visitor’s
Exchange Control D form, which is issued on arrival
and must generally be returned at time of departure.

Credit & debit cards

Visa, MasterCard and
American Express are
accepted throughout the country while Diners Club is
not popular. Contact your credit or debit
card providers for additional information of acceptability including other available services.

Traveller's cheques

The exchange rate for traveller's cheques is better than the exchange rate
for cash. To avoid charges of exchange rate, travellers
are advised to take traveller's cheques in Pounds Sterling or US Dollars.

Exchange rate indicators

The following figures are a guide to the movements of the Sri Lanka
Rupee against Sterling and the US Dollar:

Date

Oct’07

£1.00=

230.33

$1.00=

112.23

Currency
restrictions

The export and import of local currency is restricted to SLRs1,000.
The import of notes from Pakistan and India is not permitted, otherwise
the import of foreign currency is not restricted but amounts over
US$5,000 are subject to declaration. The export of foreign currency
is restricted to the amount declared on import.